Category Archives: 1980s Tanks

During the 1970s, Royal Ordnance Leeds, a British company that was later taken over by Vickers, developed an upgraded version of the FV4201 Chieftain main battle tank for export to Iran and Jordan. This tank became known as the Shir 1.
The Shir 1 had the hull of a late-model Chieftain and a new engine and

South Korea's K1 main battle tank, sometimes known as the Type 88 or the ROKIT (Republic of Korea Indigenous Tank), was developed by Chrysler (now General Dynamic Land Systems), the company that designed and built America's M1 Abrams MBT.
The first prototype of the K1 main battle tank was finished in the United States in

The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the primary main battle tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corp. It is the only battle tank currently produced in the United States. The M1 Abrams main battle Tank is known for its exceptional service in the 1990/1991 and 2003 Persian Gulf Wars.

Development

Design of the Italian OF-40 main battle tank began in 1977, as a joint venture between Oto Melara (now Otobreda) and Fiat. The powerpack was designed by Fiat, while the tank's overall design was Oto Melara's responsibility. Oto Melara was also responsible for production.
The OF-40 main battle tank was designed specifically for export. It is

The Stingray light tank is an American tank that was built for export. It has only ever been used by the Royal Thai Army. The Stingray was designated as private venture by the American company Textron Marine and Land Systems (formerly Cadillac Gage Textron).
In 1985, the first prototype of the Stingray was completed. The first

The TM-800 medium tank is a Romanian tank based on the Soviet Union's T-54 and T-55 main battle tanks.
It was first produced in 1986.
The TM-800 medium tank has a 3.94 inch (100mm) main gun with a fume extractor near the muzzle.
The turret has full 360 degree traverse, and the gun can be elevated from

China's Type 69 main battle tank is based on the Type 59 main battle tank, which is itself based on the Soviet Union's T-54.
The Type 69 main battle tank has been exported to other countries in Asia and Africa. It was used during the 1990/1991 and 2003 Gulf Wars.
Although development of the type 69 MBT tank

China's Type 80 main battle tank was based on the Type 69, which was in turn based on the Soviet Union's T-54.
The first prototype of the Type 80 main battle tank was finished in 1985, and tank development was finished in 1988.
The Type 80 MBT has a low silhouette, similar to the silhouette of Russian